John Kerry: Sotloff Execution an ‘Act of Medieval Savagery’ by ISIS ‘Coward’

Calling the videotaped execution of American freelance journalist Steven Sotloff “an act of medieval savagery by a coward hiding behind a mask,” Secretary of State John Kerry vowed accountability for his murder and the murder of journalist James Foley by the Islamic militant group ISIS.

“There are no words strong enough to express the sorrow we feel for his family, particularly his mother, whose heartbreaking video plea spoke to every single parent who has ever worried about a son or daughter who goes to dangerous places to do the work they love,” Kerry said in a statement Wednesday. “For so many who worked so long to bring Steven and the other Americans home safely, this was not how the story should’ve ended. It’s a punch to the gut.”

RELATED: Obama on Sotloff Execution: ‘Justice Will Be Served’

“Barbarity, sadly, isn’t new to our world,” Kerry continued. “Neither is evil. We’ve taken the fight to it before, and we’re taking the fight to it today. When terrorists anywhere around the world have murdered our citizens, the United States held them accountable, no matter how long it took. And those who have murdered James Foley and Steven Sotloff in Syria should know that the United States will hold them accountable too, no matter how long it takes.”

Read the full statement HERE.

[Image via screengrab]

——
>> Follow Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!